Exhibition of Vladimir Pavlovich Makarov (1932-2014) dedicated to the 1000th anniversary of Russian monkhood on Mount Athos is aimed to acquaint visitors with the spiritual life of this prominent icon painter and restorer also known as monk Ephrem. From 1992 to 2014 during his visit to Greece he connected his life with the Russian St. Panteleimon Monastery, where he restored many icons, mosaics and paintings as well as in other monasteries on Mount Athos.
Before taking the veil Vladimir Makarov was a professional artist and restorer of icons and monumental painting. Since 1983 he had worked on the restoration of the masterpieces of icon painting in the brigade of the Leningrad Regional restoration workshop, which was responsible for conservation of wall paintings of the Transfiguration Cathedral on Valaam. Later Vladimir Makarov worked in the restoration workshop of the Valaam museum, where a large number of restored icons were included in the permanent exhibition, held in the Gate Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul of the Transfiguration Cathedral.
Many icons of father Ephrem are well known in Russia, among them is the altar icon from the chapel St.Siluan. The image of the old man who Vladimir Makarov wrote two years after his arrival to the Holy Mountain with the blessing of his spiritual mentors soon appeared at the postcards and book covers and has now become almost canonical.
The exhibition includes icon and paintings by father Ephrem from 2007 to 2014, as well as documentary material - photos associated with the time of his stay on Mount Athos.
The exhibition is supported by "Friendship" Society (Greece) and AEGEAN Airlines.
